Hose reel



G. H. PALM HOSE REEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 8, 1944 g m j Z 0 i a 3 0 J w WM M 0% ,3. m 6 a 5 w 3 9 0 W2 & M V 2 7 Z w G. H. PALM Feb. 7, 1950 HOSE REEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 8, l944 G. H. PALM HOSE REEL Feb, 7,, 195@ 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 8, 1944 mw/vl/eyi Patented Feb. 7, 1950 HOSE REEL George H. Palm, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Stewart- Warner Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Virginia Application November 8, 1944, Serial No. 562,417

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to hose reels, and particularly to power operated lubricant hose reels.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hose reel which is pleasing in appearance and capable of winding the hose in a relatively small space and which is compact and easily and efficiently operable.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved lubricant hose reel wherein the hose may be unreeled manually and then used for supplying lubricant under pressure wherever required, after which the hose may be wound on the reel by power operated means and preferably after pressure has been relieved from the hose so that it may be wound readily.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hose reel having manually controlled power operated means for rewinding the hose.

A further and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hydraulic lubricant pressure operated hose reel.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved power operated hose reel wherein the power means needs to move but slightly to effect a considerable movement of the reel on which the hose is wound, and more specifically wherein epicyclic gearing is provided between the power means and the reel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hose reel construction which is simple to operate, can be made and assembled economically, and which will operate satisfactorily and efficiently under varying conditions.

Further objects of the invention are to provide new and improved supporting, power operated and control means for hose reels.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description, in the course of which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an axial cross-sectional view through one embodiment of the reel of the present invention, the view being taken along the line l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1 and illustrating details of an epicyclic gear set located between the reel supporting shaft and power means for rotating the shaft and reel;

Fig. 4.- is a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and illustrating details of the power means for rotating the reel and of the control means;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view through the control valve, illustrating the control valve in one of its two positions, that position in which pressure is supplied to the power operated means to rewind the hose or to hold the hose in its rewound position and in which the hose is connected to a low pressure region;

Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the control valve in the other of its two positions, in which the hose is connected to the fluid pressure source and the power operated means is connected to the low pressure region so that the hose can be unwound and used;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the broken line 1-1 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings and about to be described, the hose reel apparatus includes a reel or drum upon which the hose may be wound. The reel is secured to a hollow rotatable shaft through which fluid (in this case the fluid is a lubricant) is supplied under pressure to the hose. The shaft is power operated, preferably in one direction only, so that the hose may be withdrawn manually as by pulling it out as far as de sired, after which the hose is rewound upon the reel by power means. It is preferred that the power means be under the control of the operator and preferably through a two-position control valve adapted in one position to connect a source of fluid under pressure to the hose and to disconnect the fluid source from the power operated means and in the other position to disconnect the hose from the lubricant and to connect the fluid source to the power means, whereby the fluid dispensed through the hose itself is utilized as a power source for rewinding the hose. The reel includes gearing, preferably epicyclic gearing, between the rotatable shaft and the power operated means whereby the latter need be moved but a short distance to rotate the reel through a number of revolutions.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, it may be noted that the hose reel in its entirety is indicated by the reference character In. The major components of the device are a rotatably mounted reel [2 upon which the hose 14 may be wound, a central hollow rotatable shaft I6 upon which the reel is mounted and through which lubricant is supplied to the hose, a stationary support I8, power operated means 20, gearing 22 operatively connecting the power operated means to the shaft I6, and a control valve 24 operable selectively to supply lubricant under pressure to the hose and to render operative the power means.

In the instant embodiment of the invention, the power operated means is preferably energized by the lubricant which is obtainable at a desired pressure from a source 26 which has not been illustrated in detail or completely because it may be any one of several known types. It is believed sulficient to say that lubricant under pressure is supplied to a conduit 28 leading from the lubricant source to the control valve and particularly to a fitting 30 suitably secured as by welding to the valve. Lubricant is returned from the valve to a reservoir or low pressure region through a conduit 32 connected to the control valve through a fitting 34 also secured to the valve.

The hose reel may also include a'housing or cover 36, especially if the hose reel is intended for exterior mounting. Of course, a cover need not be used if the hose reel is to be mounted within a cabinet or the like. The cover is generally cup-shaped and detachably secured, as by screws 33 (see Fig. 2), to a shallower and somewhat larger cup-shaped base plate 40 forming the major part of a stationary support I8. A gun type nozzle 42 is secured to the end of the hose in any convenient manner and the hose extends outside the cover through an opening 44 in one side of the cover. undue wearing of the hose and to enable it more freely to move, the opening is bordered with rollers including three springs 46 rotatably mounted upon different portions of a U-shaped fitting 48 secured to the base plate40 in suitable manner as by welding and as illustrated best in Fig. 1.

The hose reel is supported in suitable fashion upon any desired supporting structure. In the instant case it has been illustrated as being supported vertically, i. e., with the axis of rotation of the reel disposed horizontally upon a wooden supporting structure 50. The hose reel is readily secured to the structure as by the lag screws 52 passing through the base plate 40 into the wood.

The reel I2 is secured to one end of and supported by the hollow centrally located rotatable shaft I6. The reel is of two-part construction, the first part including an axial extending portion 54 and a radially extending rim defining portion 56, and the second part including a rim defining portion 58 and what may be termed an end plate 60. The two parts are. suitably secured together as by welding the angularly extending outer end 62 of the axial part 54 to a similarly extending junction part 64 between the rim and plate sections 58 and 60 of the other part of the reel.

The reel is secured to the shaft I6 by a hub 66 secured to the end plate 60 by a plurality of bolts 68. The hub is utilized also to conduct lubricant under pressure from the shaft I6 to the hose and for this purpose it is provided with axial and radial passages and 12, the latter of which receives a generally U-shaped fitting 14 (see especially Fig. 2), to the free end of which the hose I4 is secured by a suitable fitting I0, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The inner end of the hose extends to the fitting 14 through an open- In order to prevent r ing I8 in the axially extending part 54 of the reel, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The base plate 40 supports the rotatable shaft I6, the power operated means 20, and the gearing 22. The gearing and bearing means for the shaft are disposed to the front of the plate while the power means is located to the rear of and within the plate. The shaft is rotatably mounted in an axially extending combined bearing means and lubricant fitting 80. The fitting includes a hollow bushing 82, the inner end of which is secured as by a press fit to a plate 84 secured, in turn, to the base plate 40 by bolts 86. The plate 84 is spaced from the base plate by a ring gear 83 forming part of the gearing 22 and to which further reference will be had shortly.

The shaft mounting bushing 82 is provided with a central annular chamber to which lubricant is supplied through a conduit 92 (see Figs. 2 and 4 connected to the valve 24 through a fitting 94. The chamber 90 communicates with the hose through the hose fitting 14, the axial passage I0 in hub 66, the axial passage 96 extending part way through the shaft I6, and a pair of radial openings 98 in the shaft. Leakage of lubricant is prevented by seals I00 surrounding the shaft and located at opposite ends of chamber 90. The outermost seal I00 is retained in place by a fitting I02 which also serves as a bearing and is held in place by a cap I04 threaded on to bushing 82 as best illustrated in Fig. 1.

The shaft is rotated by the power operated means 28 through the gearing 22 which is preferably of the epicyclic or planetary type. This means includes a pair of movable combined cylinders and rack gears I I0 secured for longitudinal movement within a gear housing H2 at the rear of base plate. The housing is provided with a flange portion II4, whereby it may be secured to the rear of the base plate 40 by the four bolts 86 heretofore referred to. The housing also includes end plates H6 secured as by welding (see Fig. 4) to the flanged structure.

As heretofore indicated, it is preferred in the present embodiment of the invention to power rotate the spool in one direction only. This is accomplished by power moving the rack gears in one direction, using the lubricant under pressure as a source of energy. Before describing this feature, however, it is thought best to describe the novel operative connection ofthe rack gears to the reel and this will now be done. The rack gears mesh with a pinion II8 rotatably mounted upon the solid end I20 of the central shaft 16 extending to the rear of the base plate as indicated in Fig. 1. The pinion H8 is so connected to the shaft l6 that one turn of the pinion effects several turns (in this case about seven) of the shaft. The connection includes an epicyclic gearing, of which the previously referred to ring gear 88 forms a part. The ring gear is held stationary between the base plate 40 and the plate 84. The rack gear driven pinion IIB drives a planet carrier l22 supporting a plurality of planet gears 124 which in turn drive a sun gear I26 secured to the end I20 of shaft I6 by a pin I28. The planet gears are suitably secured to the planet carrier as by pins I 30. A very compact arrangement results from the use of gearing of the type described and especially wherein the sun gear is disposed within a portion of the pinion I I8 and wherein the latter is journaled upon the end I20 of the shaft.

The rack gears are moved in a direction to rewind the hose on the reel by lubricant which is supplied under pressure to the interiors of the gears. The gears are formed with longitudinal bores I32 (see Fig. 4) whereby they are slidably supported on tubes I34 through which lubricant is supplied. The outer ends oi the bores I32 are closed by plugs Est. As a result, when lubricant under pressure is supplied to the tubes, the pressure forces the rack gears in opposite directions along the tubes, thereby to rotate the pinion H8 and ultimately to rotate the reel through the epicyclic gearing and central shaft.

Lubricant is supplied to the rack gear bores through a conduit 23% connected to the control valve 24 by a fitting Hit. The conduit I38 preferably leads to a fitting M2 secured to the top of the rack gear housing I I2 from whence the lubricant is led to the tubes l3 l through conduits I44 and I46. The conduit M4 leads to a T fitting I48 supporting the upper tube I34 (as shown in Fig. 4) and connected to conduit M6. The latter is connected to a fitting 558 supporting the lower tube I34.

The hose reel is conditioned for unwinding and is rewound under the control valve 2t, which is preferably manually controlled. It includes (referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive) a two-position reciprocable valve member I60 mounted within a valve chamber I62 and movable between its two positions by a valve operating member I64 having a handle I86 adapted easily to be grasped by the user.

The apparatus is illustrated in the drawings with the hose unwound and lubricant being supplied to it under pressure. At this time the valve operating member is in its outermost position as illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 4 and also as illustrated in Fig. 6. Under these conditions, the fluid under pressure is supplied to the hose through conduit 28, valve 2t, conduit 92, the central rotatable shaft It and fitting I4. At the same time the rack gear bores I32 are connected to the low pressure region through conduit I38, the valve 24 and conduit 28.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 6 which illustrates the position of the control valve under the above described conditions, it maybe noted that the operating member It-t has been pulled out from the valve chamber it? to one of its limits. At this limit further movement is prevented by a bolt-like extension I68 abutting against the closure plate I'iil secured to the upper end (as viewed in Fig. 6) of the valve chamber by a C-spring I'i2. Leakage of fluid \from the upper end of the valve chamber is prevented by a gasket I'M.

Perhaps it should be mentioned at this point that movement of the valve operating means in the opposite direction is limited by a closure plate I16 against which the enlarged handle portion is adapted to abut as illustrated in Fig. 5. This closure plate is held in place by a C-spring I18 and leakage of lubricant is prevented at the lower end by a gasket I80.

In the use position of the valve indicated in Fig. 6, conduits 28 and 82 are connected through an annular external groove I82 formed substantially centrally oi the valve member I60 and extending from center line to center line of conduits 28 and 92. Conduits I38 and 32 are connected through a central axial bore I84 having a diameter somewhat larger than the portion I86 of the operating member encircled thereby and extending through the valve member, which has a length equal to the center line distance between conduits 32 and I33. The last mentioned 6 connection extends also through opposed valve member positioning washers I88, each of which has a plurality of openings Isl) therein as best illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 8.

When the control valve 2 3 is in its other position, i. e., its wind position, pressure is removed from the hose and is supplied to the rack gears to power rotate the reel in rewinding direction. The hose is connected to the low pressure side of the reservoir through conduits 32 and 32 and the lower end of the valve chamber I62 as illustrated in Fig. 5. At the same time the high pressure conduit 28 is connected to the rack gears through the annular groove I82 of the valve member and conduits I38, M l and hit.

The apparatus thus described in detail hereinabove may be manufactured readily and economically and it occupies but a minimum of space. It may be readily installed wherever desired. If, as illustrated, it is secured to a vertical wall structure, this can be done readily by means of the lag screws 52 which can be put in place simply by removal of the spool I2 which in turn can be done by loosening the bolts 68.

The hose reel may be controlled simply and readily by the valve 2 3 and when it is desired to retract or rewind the hose, all that is necesary is to push the valve operating member I54 to the position indicated in Fig. 5 and as shown in phantom in Fig. l. When this is done, the lubricant pressure is removed form the hose and the hose is connected to the low pressure side of the lubricant source through conduits 92 and 32 which are interconnected by the valve 24. At the same time the high pressure lubricant source is connected to the rack gears IIE which are thereby moved from the positions in which they are indicated in the drawings to rotate the reel supporting shaft it through the intermediary of the planet gearing. This gearing, as heretofore described in detail, is so constructed and arranged that one rotation of the pinion i it resulting from longitudinal movement of the rack gears is ei fective to Wind up the hose. In the illustrated embodiment, the gear ratio is such that the shaft It rotates seven revolutions for one revolution of the planet carrier 122, and, therefore, for one revolution of the pinion H3.

To unwind the hose and use it for lubricating purposes, it is necessary only to pull the valve operating member out from the valve chamber to the position indicated in solid lines in Figs. 4 and 6. When this is done, the rack gears are connected to the low pressure region so that the hose can be unwound easily because the movement of the rack gears is not restricted to any material extent. The high pressure lubricant is connected at the same time to the hose through conduits t l, 92 and the central rotatable shaft hereinbefore described, so that the lubricating operations may be carried on easily.

While I prefer to employ the form and arrangement of the parts as shown in the drawings and as above described, the invention is not to be restricted thereto except so far as the claims may be so limited, it being understood that changes might well be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Hose reel apparatus or the type including a hose supported by a hose reel and adapted to be connected to a source of lubricant under pressure, including in combination, pressure operated means for rotating said reel in a direction to rewind the hose thereon, and means including a two-position valve and conduits leading from the valve to the pressure operated means and hose for selectively and simultaneously connecting the hose to the lubricant source and the power operated means to a low pressure region thereby to condition the hose for unwinding and use or disconnecting the hose from the lubricant source and connecting the source to the power operated means for rewinding the hose.

2. A hose reeling apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel upon which the hose is adapted to be wound, including in combination, axially extending supporting structure, a hollow shaft rotatably mounted within said structure, hub means mounting the reel upon one end of said shaft, and means including a passageway extending radially through said supporting structure, axially through said shaft and radially through said hub means for supplying fluid to the hose.

3. Hose reel apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel supporting a hose, including in combination, means including a rotatable shaft for supporting the reel, power operated rack means adjacent the reel and contained within a circular outline substantially no larger than that of said reel, and means including planetary gearing for interconnecting said rack means and shaft, including a gear coaxial with the shaft and meshing with said rack means.

4. Hose reel apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel supporting a hose, including in combination, means including a rotatable shaft for supporting the reel, power operated rack means adjacent the reel and contained within the radial confines of said reel, and means including planetary gearing disposed symmetrically about the axis of said shaft having a sun gear connected to said shaft and a planet carrier which includes a gear meshed with said rack means for interconnecting said rack means and shaft, and multiplying the motion of the rack.

5..Hose reel apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel supporting a hose, including in combination, a stationary circular cup-shaped support not substantially larger than the reel, means including a rotatable shaft mounted upon said stationary support and supporting the reel adjacent one face of said support, power operated rack means mounted upon the opposite face of said support and contained within it, and means including planetary gearing disposed symmetrically about the axis of said shaft having a sun gear connected to said shaft, a planet carrier including a gear meshed with said rack means and a ring gear secured to said support and meshed with the planet wheels of said planetary gearing.

6. Hose reel apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel supporting a hose, including in combination, means including a rotatable shaft for supporting the reel, a pair of power operated racks movable respectively in opposite directions and disposed at opposite sides of the axis of said shaft substantially within a circular outline no larger than the reel, a gear engaged with said racks and rotated thereby, and means including planetary gearing having a sun gear connected to said shaft, planet gears meshing with said sun gear, a planet carrier connected to said rack engaged gear, and a fixed ring gear meshed with said planet gears.

7. Apparatus for rotating a hose reel, including in combination, a rotatable gear operatively connected to the reel, rack gears having longitudinal openings therein connected to said gear for imparting rotation to it upon longitudinal movement of the :rack gears in opposite directions, a housing engagingthe sides of said rack gears opposite the toothed parts thereof, stationary tubes extending respectively into the openings in said rack gears for guiding and supplying fluid under pressure to the interiors of said rack gears and thereby effecting movement thereof, and conduit means for supplying a fluid under pressure extending into said housing and connected to said tubes.

8. Apparatus for rotating a hose reel, including in combination, a rotatable gear operatively connected to the reel, rack gears having longitudinal openings therein connected to said gear for imparting rotation to it upon longitudinal movement of the rack gears in opposite directions, a housing engaging the sides of said rack gears opposite the toothedparts thereof, stationary tubes extending respectively into the openings in said rack gears for guiding and supplying fluid under pressure to the interiors of said rack gears and thereby effecting movement thereof, a conduit for supplyinga fiuid-under pressure extendinginto said housing andconnected to said tubes, and manually operable valve means for selectively connecting said conduit to a source of fluid under pressure or a low pressure region.

9. Apparatus for rotating a hose reel adapted to support a hose, including in combination, a rotatable gear operatively connected to the reel, rackgears having longitudinal openings therein connected to said gearfor imparting rotation to it upon longitudinal movement of the rack gears in opposite directions, a housing engaging the sides of said rack gears opposite the toothedparts thereof, stationary tubes extending respectively into the openings in said rack gears for guiding and supplying fluid under pressure to the interiors of said rack gears and thereby effecting movement thereof, a conduit for supplying a fluid under pressure extending into said housing and connected to said tubes, a conduit for supplying fluid underpressure to said hose, a valve chamber interposed in both conduits and a manually operable two-position valve member in said chamber having an external peripheral passage and an axial internal passage for connecting said conduits selectivelyto a source of fluid under pressure through the external passage and connecting the stationary tubes in the housing to a low pressure regionthrough said axial passage.

10. Hose reel apparatus of the type including a hose reel supporting a hose adapted to be connected to a source of lubricant under pressure, including in combination, a stationary support, ashaft having a hollow portion mounted for rotation in said support, means including a hub secured to the outer end of said hollow portion of the shaft for supporting the hose reel thereon, a lubricant conduit connected to the hose through said stationary support, the opening in said shaft and the hub for supplying lubricant to the hose,

a sun gear secured to the shaft near its other end, a planet carrier encircling the sun gear, planet gears carried by the planet carrier meshing with said sun gear, a ring gear secured to the support and meshingwith said planet gears, a gear rotatably mounted on the said other end of the shaft and secured to said planet carrier, means including a pair of longitudinally movable combined cylinders and rack gears and a housing within which said rack gears are longitudinally movable for imparting rotation to said last mentioned gear, means including a conduit for supplying lubricant to the interiors of said rack gears for imparting movement thereto, a valve chamber connected to a source of lubricant under pressure and means including a manually operable twoposition valve member in said chamber having an external peripheral groove and an axial internal passage for connecting said conduits selectively to the source of fluid under pressure through the external groove and connecting said valve chamber to a low pressure region through said axial passage, whereby in one position of said valve lubricant under pressure is supplied to the hose and the rack gears are connected to the low pressure region and the hose may be readily unwound and, whereby in the second position of the valve the hose is connected to a low pressure region and the rack gears are connected to the lubricant under pressure to effect the rewinding or the hose on the reel.

11. Hose reel apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel supporting a hose for dispensing fluid under pressure including in combination pressure-actuated means for rotating the reel in a direction to rewind hose thereon, a valve chamber, conduits connecting the valve chamber respectively to the source of fluid under pressure, the hose, the power-actuated means and a low pressure region, and a valve in said chamber having an internal passage means for connecting the pressure-actuated means and low pressure region when the valve is in one position, and external passage means connecting the source of fluid and hose When the valve is in said position and connecting the source of fluid and pressureactuated means when the valve is at another position to condition the reel for rewinding hose.

12. A hose reel apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the valve is operable manually to either of its positions whereby selective control of rewinding of the hose may be eflected.

13. Hose reel apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel supporting a hose for dispensing fluid under pressure including in combination pressure-actuated means for rotating the reel in a direction to rewind hose thereon, a valve chamber, conduits connecting the valve chamber respectively to the source of fluid under pressure, the hose, the power-actuated means and a low pressure region, and a valve in said chamber havmg a passage means for connecting the pressureactuated means and low pressure region when the valve is in one position, and other passage means connecting the source of fluid and hose when the valve is in said position and connecting the source of fluid and pressure-actuated means when the valve is at another position to condition the reel for rewinding hose.

14. Hose reel apparatus of the type including a rotatable reel supporting a hose for dispensing fluid under pressure including in combination pressure-actuated means for rotating the reel in a direction to rewind hose thereon, valve means, and conduits connecting the valve means respectively to the source of fluid under pressure, the hose, the power-actuated means and a low pressure region, said valve means including movable means for connecting the pressureactuated means and low pressure region when the movable means is in one position, and connecting the source of fluid and hose when the movable means is in said position and connecting the source of fluid and pressure-actuated means when the movable means is at another position to condition the reel for rewinding hose.

GEORGE H. PALM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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